Predictors of peer assessment in junior leader training.

ABSTRACT

Peer assessments are used in a variety of military contexts. The current study examined factors that may influence how peers assess each other, including age, perceived warmth and competence, locus of control, and physical fitness. Participants in a junior leader training course completed peer assessments at three time points during the course per curriculum requirements. Participants also rated their peers on measures of warmth and competence and responded to a locus of control measure. Course performance metrics, including physical fitness scores were also obtained. Ratings of competence were the only significant predictors of peer assessments over all three time points. The inter-correlations between peer, self, and instructor assessments of leadership and course performance were also examined. The implications of these findings are discussed.